Underwater Taken Above Ground.
Artists take inspiration from many things. People, places, even events. But so far, the most whimsical ideas come from mother nature herself. This march, Louis Vuitton just unveiled its newly transformed Ginza Namiki Tokyo flagship store and it is the embodiment of nature’s undersea beauty.
Architects Jun Aoki and Peter Marino have both created several other buildings for Louis Vuitton. Last year, the two architects teamed up to design the brand’s Osaka flagship store which showcases a beautiful facade of curving glass shaped like the sails from old Japanese merchant ships. This year, their talents dove deeper into the theme of rippling waters, resulting in an iridescent seven-story building with an undulating surface that gives off a modern look while still reflecting the nearby Tokyo Bay’s water surface. To achieve this three-dimensional pearlescent look, the building was constructed from two layers of curved glass wrapped with a dichroic film.
READ MORE: Dissecting long-held standards of proportion and their relevance today
READ MORE: Anthology Festival 2021: Adapting Architecture That Brings Us Together In A Time of Separation
Inside, the building’s floors are covered in pale stone. Textured walls, curved surfaces, and a palette using wood and glass highlight the natural theme while adding lightness into the space. The retail floors are also connected by the main staircase crafted from sculptural oak and glass that winds through the store. At the corner of the ground floor is a tall glass facade that allows visitors from outside to get a peek of the inside and transmits shifting colors to the feature staircase and fixtures. The upper level of the store meanwhile has a private salon for VIP clients and even has the Le Cafe V- a cafe that celebrates Louis Vuitton’s collaboration with chef Yosuke Suga.
Tokyo in itself is a capital of buildings that portray high-tech and futuristic living. The Louis Vuitton building is just a new extension of the city’s aesthetic and a new showcase of Aoki and Marino’s architectural skills.
